Focusrite TwinTrak vs Apogee MiniMe

Steve wrote:

> I have a Focusrite TwinTrak pro with the AD option card installed. I
> was considering going to an Apogee MiniMe for better (maybe?) preamps
> and obviously better A->D conversion.

> I won't have a chance to hear the MiniMe so I can't compare for myself.

Why not? Are you needing to use it this afternoon? Why not get a MiniMe
and compare it yourself. Frankly, unless you can make use of the added
bells and whistles of the MiniMe, you probably will see no compelling
need to make the switch. The preamps are probably in about the same
ballpark, the converters are probably a bit better in the Apogee, but
depending on what's going in, you may not notice enough difference to
matter. Or maybe you will. You should make this decision yourself.
You're the one spending the money and you know your customers.


--
If you e-mail me and it bounces, use your secret decoder ring and reach
me here:
double-m-eleven-double-zero at yahoo -- I'm really Mike Rivers
([email protected])

On Jun 7, 11:58 am, Mike Rivers <[email protected]> wrote:
> Steve wrote:
> > I have a Focusrite TwinTrak pro with the AD option card installed.  I
> > was considering going to an Apogee MiniMe for better (maybe?) preamps
> > and obviously better A->D conversion.  
> > I won't have a chance to hear the MiniMe so I can't compare for myself.
>
> Why not? Are you needing to use it this afternoon? Why not get a MiniMe
> and compare it yourself. Frankly, unless you can make use of the added
> bells and whistles of the MiniMe, you probably will see no compelling
> need to make the switch. The preamps are probably in about the same
> ballpark, the converters are probably a bit better in the Apogee, but
> depending on what's going in, you may not notice enough difference to
> matter. Or maybe you will. You should make this decision yourself.
> You're the one spending the money and you know your customers.
>
> --
> If you e-mail me and it bounces, use your secret decoder ring and reach
> me here:
> double-m-eleven-double-zero at yahoo -- I'm really Mike Rivers
> ([email protected])

Mike;

Thanks for the response. Seeing as the MiniMe is discontinued I would
have to find one used. That's why I was saying I wouldn't get a
chance to AB them before buying. I was just looking at the Twintrak
and I have never used the mid scoop or the compressor in it. I bought
it mainly for the preamp quality until of course I got my FMR RNP. I
usually add all dynamics, EQ and effects post-tracking so I figured I
would get a better A/D converter and preamp with less bells and
whistles than the Twintrak. It's had it's problems which have been
fixed at an insane cost (i've almost paid for it twice). I may stick
with it but the MiniMe has the advantage of being a little more
portable and having better converters.

Thanks.

"Steve" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:f45bccb6-5bc8-4c66-a77c-b665dce72a29@d1g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...
> Hey all;
>
> I have a Focusrite TwinTrak pro with the AD option card installed. I
> was considering going to an Apogee MiniMe for better (maybe?) preamps
> and obviously better A->D conversion. Just wondering what everyone's
> opinions on the Apogee's preamps were compared to the Focusrite's
> before I make the leap. I won't have a chance to hear the MiniMe so I
> can't compare for myself.
>
> Cheers;
> Steve

Steve, I have the MiniMe. Neither the MiniMe nor the Twintrak have
converters that as good as the best "prosumer." The Minime has a 105dB S/N,
while the Twintrak has a 110 dB S/N. The MiniMe is not in the class of
Apogee's main products, not by a long shot. An AD16X has 15 dB of S/N on it.

The Focusrite pres are better. The Apogee uses the INA163 chip as the gain
block, while the Focusrite has discrete Class A circuitry.

To put the nail in the coffin, the DC/DC power converters of the MiniMe are
on the same board as everything else. This precludes reaching thermal noise
levels. The Focusrite designers had it easier, with more room for shielding
and isolation.

The reputation of the MiniMe seems to be due to the celebs who use it as
their personal kit. It also shows that for popular music, the converters
don't have to be the best. While I would not agree with them, the "Zoom
Crowd" adores their little recorders, which have really, really bad specs.

FWIW, I use a MiniMe as a digital input to a Sound Devices 744T. If I ever
record a full orchestra in a quiet hall, I might want something better. It
is 9 dB noisier that the the Sound Devices recorders.

If you have a sound problem, it's probably microphone related.

Bob Morein
(310) 237-6511

On Jun 7, 1:33 pm, "Soundhaspriority" <[email protected]> wrote:
> "Steve" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>
> news:f45bccb6-5bc8-4c66-a77c-b665dce72a29@d1g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...
>
> > Hey all;
>
> > I have a Focusrite TwinTrak pro with the AD option card installed.  I
> > was considering going to an Apogee MiniMe for better (maybe?) preamps
> > and obviously better A->D conversion.  Just wondering what everyone's
> > opinions on the Apogee's preamps were compared to the Focusrite's
> > before I make the leap.  I won't have a chance to hear the MiniMe so I
> > can't compare for myself.
>
> > Cheers;
> > Steve
>
> Steve, I have the MiniMe. Neither the MiniMe nor the Twintrak have
> converters that as good as the best "prosumer." The Minime has a 105dB S/N,
> while the Twintrak has a 110 dB S/N. The MiniMe is not in the class of
> Apogee's main products, not by a long shot. An AD16X has 15 dB of S/N on it.
>
> The Focusrite pres are better. The Apogee uses the INA163 chip as the gain
> block, while the Focusrite has discrete Class A circuitry.
>
> To put the nail in the coffin, the DC/DC power converters of the MiniMe are
> on the same board as everything else. This precludes reaching thermal noise
> levels. The Focusrite designers had it easier, with more room for shielding
> and isolation.
>
> The reputation of the MiniMe seems to be due to the celebs who use it as
> their personal kit. It also shows that for popular music, the converters
> don't have to be the best. While I would not agree with them, the "Zoom
> Crowd" adores their little recorders, which have really, really bad specs.
>
> FWIW, I use a MiniMe as a digital input to a Sound Devices 744T.  If I ever
> record a full orchestra in a quiet hall, I might want something better. It
> is 9 dB  noisier that the the Sound Devices recorders.
>
> If you have a sound problem, it's probably microphone related.
>
> Bob Morein
> (310) 237-6511

Hey Bob;

Thanks for the info. I was under the assumption that the A/D on the
MMe was the same caliber as their rack gear which seems to be untrue.
I was just looking at my twintrack and thinking I could downsize it to
something with better pres and better conversion. I think I will
stick with it.

Cheers;
Steve

"Steve" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:f8ec25ef-35f1-4349-bb7b-14358b271600@r66g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...
On Jun 7, 1:33 pm, "Soundhaspriority" <[email protected]> wrote:
> "Steve" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>
> news:f45bccb6-5bc8-4c66-a77c-b665dce72a29@d1g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...
>
> > Hey all;
>
> > I have a Focusrite TwinTrak pro with the AD option card installed. I
> > was considering going to an Apogee MiniMe for better (maybe?) preamps
> > and obviously better A->D conversion. Just wondering what everyone's
> > opinions on the Apogee's preamps were compared to the Focusrite's
> > before I make the leap. I won't have a chance to hear the MiniMe so I
> > can't compare for myself.
>
> > Cheers;
> > Steve
>
> Steve, I have the MiniMe. Neither the MiniMe nor the Twintrak have
> converters that as good as the best "prosumer." The Minime has a 105dB
> S/N,
> while the Twintrak has a 110 dB S/N. The MiniMe is not in the class of
> Apogee's main products, not by a long shot. An AD16X has 15 dB of S/N on
> it.
>
> The Focusrite pres are better. The Apogee uses the INA163 chip as the gain
> block, while the Focusrite has discrete Class A circuitry.
>
> To put the nail in the coffin, the DC/DC power converters of the MiniMe
> are
> on the same board as everything else. This precludes reaching thermal
> noise
> levels. The Focusrite designers had it easier, with more room for
> shielding
> and isolation.
>
> The reputation of the MiniMe seems to be due to the celebs who use it as
> their personal kit. It also shows that for popular music, the converters
> don't have to be the best. While I would not agree with them, the "Zoom
> Crowd" adores their little recorders, which have really, really bad specs.
>
> FWIW, I use a MiniMe as a digital input to a Sound Devices 744T. If I ever
> record a full orchestra in a quiet hall, I might want something better. It
> is 9 dB noisier that the the Sound Devices recorders.
>
> If you have a sound problem, it's probably microphone related.
>
> Bob Morein
> (310) 237-6511

Hey Bob;

Thanks for the info. I was under the assumption that the A/D on the
MMe was the same caliber as their rack gear which seems to be untrue.
I was just looking at my twintrack and thinking I could downsize it to
something with better pres and better conversion. I think I will
stick with it.

Cheers;
Steve

If you decide you have to have a MiniMe, let me know. Perhaps there's
something else I could use.

Bob Morein
(310) 237-6511